Stephen K. (havan) reviewed on 10/31/2011 + 138 more book reviews

Another great period mystery/detective story by Ellis Peters. This one was adapted for TV early in the Cadfael series and required that Abbot Radolphus be replaced by Abbot Hereford. Derek Jacoby as Brother Cadfael got to deliver most of the abbot's good lines. Other than that it was more faithful to the book than many of the TV episodes.

Both the book and the TV episode are eminantly entertaining and I can recommend both. Peters does a great job of evoking life in England at that time. ANd the book is as much an excuse to spend time in that period as to present and solve a mystery.

As always there are character details and subplots that had to be simplified for TV viewing so the book is a worthwhile read even if you are already familiar with the TV episode and vice versa.

This is the first book in which Brother Jerome appears that he's as hateful as he appears in the TV series.

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